Norbert Sander Of Westchester, Champion Runner, Pioneer, Dies At 74

Dr. Norbert W. Sander Jr., a Yonkers native and Hastings-on-Hudson resident, was a pioneer in the running world. He died on St. Patrick's Day after an apparent heart attack at 74.
Photo Credit: fordhamprep.org

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Dr. Norbert W. Sander Jr., of Hastings-on-Hudson, died on St. Patrick’s Day of a heart attack.

He was stricken at home Friday and taken to a hospital in Yonkers, his hometown, where he was pronounced dead, multiple media reports said.

The winner of the 1974 New York City Marathon – the only New Yorker to do so -- was 74.

He attended Sacred Heart Grammar School in the Capuchin Franciscan parish in Yonkers , Fordham Prep, Fordham College, the University of Lausanne, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Sander, affectionately called “Norb” or “Doc,” was the driving force behind the creation of The Armory Foundation.

Under his guidance, the former homeless shelter became a world-class track and field facility for New York City youth and the Washington Heights community. More than 125,000 young people reportedly compete there, and 500,000 people visit it, each year.

The Armory Foundation houses the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the Charles B. Rangel Learning and Technology Center.

Sander ran on The Armory's original wooden track when he was attending Fordham Prep and Fordham College, fordhamprep.com said.

According to fordhamprep.org, he was a Greek Honors student, a member of the "historic" 1958 and 1959 cross-country teams that took City Championships

After graduating from Fordham in 1964, Sander ran for the Gaelic-American Athletic Club, The New York Times reported.

He practiced medicine for more than four decades in Manhattan and on City Island, known as the "Seaport of the Bronx." He was the model of a “compassionate healer and faithful advocate,” his family said.

Sander is survived by his wife, Bridget (Bennett); mother, the former Gertrude (Carroll); sister Carroll Sivco (Peter); four daughters, Eva, Jessica, Emma, and Phoebe; and two grandchildren, Catherine and Kiera.

He was predeceased by his father, Norbert W. Sander, and brother, John Gerard.